Rhode Island state Rep. Brian Kennedy, D-Hopkinton, R.I., is now the president of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators.

NCOIL, Troy, N.Y., also has announced the names of other 2008 officers.

The new president-elect is New York state Sen. James Seward, R-Otsego, N.Y.

The other officers are Kentucky state Rep. Robert Damron, D-Nicholasville, Ky., vice president; North Dakota state Rep. George Keiser, R-Bismarck, N.D., secretary; and New Mexico state Sen. Carroll Leavell, R-Jal, N.M., treasurer.

NCOIL committee co-chairs for 2008 include:

- Financial services and investment products: Rep. Fulton Sheen, R-Plainwell, Mich., and Assembly Member Ivan, D-N.Y.

- Health, long term care and health retirement issues: Rep. Susan Westrom, D-Lexington, Ky., and Delegate Harvey Morgan, R-Middlesex, Va.

- Life insurance and financial planning: Sen. Joseph Crisco, D-Woodbridge, Conn., and Rep. Michael Ripley, R-Monroe, Ind.